[Gurthang]

Yes, I think I've been involved in a discussion about this before also.

I agree completely. LotR doesn't just tell a story. It's a small part of a much larger story. The whole history and legends and interconnections between all his books are what makes Tolkien's works a myth. Everyone knows it, yes, but that is only part.

I'd venture to guess that most of the world is fairly familiar with Harry Potter. I wouldn't call it a myth though. Those books leave too much that isn't known about where all the people and places came from. There's not much history behind Hogwarts or any of the older characters. Bits and pieces are given, but not enough to tell you where everything comes from.

Tolkien, on the other hand, put much more into his books. He wrote a creation story, told histories of how nations came and fell, and even created languages for his different peoples. His HUGE story gives the readers so much that its difficult to even find all the parts to read. The story seems to continue forever. Even after the books are done, there is so much more. This forum is one instance.

So, Tolkien's works are definantly a myth. It's probably the only one I've read extensively, and I don't think I'd ever find one top it.